Are you tired of wearing dentures that only cause you pain and embarrassment?
For many years, removable dentures were the final word on tooth replacement. But they’ve never been an ideal solution. Dental implants are the new gold standard for replacing lost teeth and can serve as stable attachments for implant overdentures.
An implant-supported denture is an arch of false teeth that attaches to multiple dental implants. You can have as many implants as you need in order to securely anchor your new denture.
Disadvantages of Regular Dentures
When teeth are missing, the height of the jaw gradually shrinks as the bone disappears.
Traditional dentures rest directly on the gums and rely on the underlying bone structure for support. Upper dentures stay put with the help of suction and lower dentures have only gravity to keep them in place. These dynamics result in a weak and unstable bite because a removable denture rests on soft tissue and there is nothing to hold it firmly in place. Additionally, the lack of tooth roots will also cause the bone in the jaw to gradually thin out in a process called resorption.
If you’ve been wearing a denture for many years, you may have noticed that it’s gotten looser over time due to this bone resorption. A loose denture can cause painful sores and chafing as it slides around.
Physical discomfort and reduced chewing ability aside, wearing a denture can also negatively impact your self-esteem. It’s hard to confidently laugh, sing, smile, and eat around others when you’re always worried that your denture might fall out of place.
Implant overdentures, on the other hand, can eliminate all of these concerns that come with wearing dentures.
Advantages of Implant-Supported Dentures
An implant-supported denture is the more secure and stable tooth replacement option. Even the best-fitting denture is no comparison to one supported by dental implants.
Implant-supported dentures:
- Are more stable and secure than traditional dentures
- Look more natural than regular dentures since they’ll stay in place
- Are more comfortable because they won’t slide around and chafe the gums
- Won’t impact your sense of taste (in contrast with wearing an upper removable denture which covers the palate)
- Enable you to eat anything you want
- Increase your confidence because there’s no fear that your denture will fall out
- Maintain the shape of your face since the implants prevent bone resorption in your jaw
Are Implant-Supported Dentures Right for You?
Dr. Tostado is a prosthodontist who specializes in building healthy and secure bites with implant-supported dentures. Dr. Karina Acuña Malo is the surgeon in our office who places your implants while Dr. Tostado designs and builds the denture that will rest on them.
What if you’ve already lost a lot of bone in your jaw? You can have bone grafting to restore the missing bone. Or, you may be a candidate for a technique called All-on-4. This technique is an alternative to bone grafting as it makes the most of the existing bone in your jaw by placing four implants at different angles to increase their stability.
Most people who want a more stable alternative to regular dentures are good candidates for implants. But if you don’t qualify or would prefer a more conservative treatment, then Dr. Tostado can still give you a more secure bite with the help of two dental implant locators which your denture snaps onto. For more information about this option, please see our page about affordable dental implants.
Before-and-after implant-supported denture photos from Dr. Gilberto Tostado
To find out whether implants are right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Tostado. Call our office or complete the Request an Appointment form and we will call you.